January 8, 2026

Matthew 7:15-20 (HCSB)
15“Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.

Jessica Collier
Ahh, the old wolf in sheep’s clothing line...and again with Jesus getting a little spicy. “Every tree that produces bad fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.” I love that there is some grace hidden in these verses, though. He didn’t say a tree should be thrown out for bearing one bad fruit but a consistent lack of good fruit.
A few years ago, when that crazy hard frost came through right before Christmas, all of my landscaping seemed to be done for. I decided to wait before clearing it all out because I kept finding little spots of green life thriving down close to the roots. To my surprise, it all rebounded and is flourishing now. Just like those bushes, when I go to judge someone by their “fruit,” it’s good to remember to search down deep and not focus on just what I see on the surface.